The Texas Rangers traded right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, receiving cash considerations and right-handed Josellis Lewis in return. Lewis, 30, split his playing time this season between the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and their Triple-A affiliates, and will now join the Rangers’ Triple-A team in Round Rock.
Lewis appeared in 16 relief games for Philadelphia before being waived on June 1st and subsequently claimed by Atlanta on June 7th. He pitched in two games for Atlanta this season, recording a 1-0 record with an 8.82 ERA over 16⅓ innings, striking out 15 batters across 18 games.
The Venezuelan pitcher has a career record of 11-9 with one save and a 4.62 ERA over nine seasons and 282 games, playing for teams including San Diego, the Chicago White Sox, Arizona, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.
Dunning, also 30, posted a 3.38 ERA in 10⅔ innings over five games for Texas this year without a decision. He was acquired by the White Sox in December 2020 and has compiled a 26-32 record with a 4.36 ERA in 122 appearances for Texas.
Fan Take: This trade highlights the ongoing efforts by teams to bolster their pitching depth during the season, an essential strategy as clubs prepare for playoff pushes. For fans, it’s intriguing to watch how these player moves could reshape team dynamics and influence the competitive balance in the league.
